Connect with us

Hot!

Indonesia Bans Sex Outside Marriage

Published

on

Sexual activity outside of marriage will be punishable by up to a year in jail under the new law, which will go into effect in three years.
The new law, which also applies to foreign residents and tourists, bans cohabitation before marriage, apostasy, and provides punishments for insulting the president or expressing views against national ideology.
“All have agreed to ratify the (draft changes) into law,” said lawmaker Bambang Wuryanto, who led the parliamentary commission in charge of revising the colonial-era code.
“The old code belongs to Dutch heritage … and is no longer relevant.”
Indonesia with a population of 270million people is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation and has seen a rise in religious conservatism in recent years. Strict Islamic laws are already enforced in parts of the country, including the semi-autonomous Aceh province, where alcohol and gambling are banned.
It is normal for public floggings to take place in Indonesia for a range of offenses including homosexuality and adultery.
Meanwhile, critics described the laws as a “disaster” for human rights, and a potential blow to tourism and investment.
Several groups of mainly young people protested against the legislation outside parliament in Jakarta this week. The new laws, it is expected, will be challenged in court.
Ajeng, a 28-year-old Muslim woman living in the West Java city of Depok, told BBC that she was now at risk for living with her partner for the past five years.
“With the new law, both of us can go to jail if one of the family decides to make a police report.
“What if there’s one family member who has a problem with me and decides to send me to jail?
“I think living together or having sex outside of marriage is not a crime. In my religion, it’s considered a sin. But I don’t think the criminal code should be based on a certain religion.
”She said she had joined the nationwide protests in 2019 when the law had first been broached. She took the sign: “For the right to cuddle, I took to the streets.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Hot!

SSNIT redevelopment plans for La Pleasure Beach suspended – La Traditional Council

Published

on

The La Traditional Council says all redevelopment plans by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for the demolished La Pleasure Beach Resort have been put on hold.

The decision follows a high-level stakeholder meeting involving the La Traditional Council, SSNIT and the National Security.

Speaking after the meeting, La Shikitele Nii Adjei Koofeh IV said the Council was unhappy with the manner in which the demolition exercise was carried out without prior consultation with the traditional authorities.

He explained that the La Traditional Council, as the landowners and primary stakeholders, should have been informed before the exercise.

Advertisement

According to him, National Security officials explained that not every operation or exercise requires prior disclosure, but the Council maintained that it should at least have been alerted because of its interest in the land.

Nii Adjei Koofeh IV criticised SSNIT over claims that it had been engaging the traditional authorities on the redevelopment of the area.

He said SSNIT had published information suggesting that it would continue engaging the Council, which implied that consultations had already begun.

He maintained that this was not the case and said the Council raised the matter during the meeting.

Advertisement

He said SSNIT subsequently apologised, while National Security also apologised for failing to engage the traditional authorities before the demolition exercise.

On the way forward, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV said the redevelopment has been suspended to allow for proper consultations and the observance of due process.

He said a committee will be formed to examine the issues surrounding the demolition and consider SSNIT’s redevelopment plans with the aim of reaching an agreement that satisfies all stakeholders.

The La Traditional Council, he added, wants the interests of the La people to be protected in any future arrangement.

Advertisement

He stressed that whatever belongs to La must remain beneficial to the people of La, while the interests of La indigenes working at the facility must also be safeguarded.

By: Jacob Aggrey

Continue Reading

Hot!

Man arrested in Ashaiman for allegedly posing as soldier and extorting money

Published

on

The Tema Regional Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly posing as a soldier and extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public at Ashaiman.

The suspect, identified as Bright Atsu Kudiabor, was arrested by the Ashaiman Police on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at about 7:00 a.m.

According to the Police, he was arrested at an area known as “I Shall Return”, where he was allegedly parading himself as a soldier and demanding money from people.

The Police said Kudiabor, who is an ex-convict, was initially arrested by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service in Ashaiman with assistance from other members of the public.

Advertisement

A search conducted on him after he was handed over to the Police reportedly led to the recovery of a set of military camouflage uniform.

The suspect is currently in Police custody and assisting with investigations.

The Tema Regional Police Command said he would be processed for court after investigations are completed.

The Police urged the public to remain vigilant and report anyone who falsely presents themselves as a soldier or a member of another security agency to deceive or extort money from the public.

Advertisement

By: Jacob Aggrey

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending